Photo: John Dagys
While the No. 9 Audi R8 LMS ultra of Christopher Mies paced the fourth practice session, it was the Lago Lamborghini Gallardo that was quickest Friday at Mt. Panorama in the opening day of on-track activity for Sunday’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
The. No. 32 JBS Australia-sponsored entry of David Russell topped the time charts with a 2:04.233 lap time, which was recorded in the early afternoon session. Russell led the way in two of the four practice sessions today.
The No. 15 Phoenix Racing Audi of Laurens Vanthoor ended the day second quickest, thanks to the Belgian’s 2:04.987 lap time set in the morning, followed by Mies’ flyer in the Hallmarc/Network Clothing entry that topped the final session.
Nissan’s factory GT-R NISMO GT3 entry, competing in the GT3 Am class, was fourth quickest of the day, while the Clearwater Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 completed the top-five overall and led home a further two Prancing Horses.
The story of the day came late in the first session when the Maranello Motorsport Ferrari crashed heavily Forrest’s Elbow, sending Tony D’Alberto to the hospital for precautionary checks.
While D’Alberto returned to the circuit this afternoon, it’s unclear if the team will have a car to race, as its primary entry has been damaged beyond repair.
Other class pace-setters on Friday included the No. 4 Grove Group Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car (Class B), No. 93 MARC Cars Australia Focus V8 (Class I), No. 65 Daytona Sports Cars (Class D) and the No. 54 Donut King Lotus Exige Cup R (Class C).
The field will be back on-track Saturday for final practice at 7:45 a.m. local, followed by qualifying for all cars at 12:55 p.m. and then for Class A cars only at 2:05 p.m.
RESULTS: Practice 4
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